WHO AM I? Self-portraits and the role they play in art

WHY DO ARTISTS MAKE SELF-PORTRAITS?

Since the Renaissance, artists have used self-portraits to answer the basic question, Who am I?

A mirror or a photograph can tell a person what he or she looks like, but that outer image rarely reflects the whole self. Self-portraiture asks artists to think carefully about personality, character, mood, and physical appearance in order to make decisions about how to represent themselves.

FOR EACH SELF-PORTRAIT, THE ARTIST MUST ASK: WHAT EXPRESSION,

POSTURE, CLOTHING, SETTING, COLORS, TEXTURE, STYLE, AND MATERIAL BEST

CONVEYS THE REAL ME?

For this assignment you will convey your REAL SELF by using collage on top of a current photograph of you.

WHO AM I?NOT A SIMPLE QUESTION…

IN FACT, IT LEADS TO A LONG LIST OF RELATED QUESTIONS.

HOW DO I WANT PEOPLE TO SEE ME?

HOW CAN I EXPRESS MY MANY DIFFERENT SIDES?

HOW AM I CHANGING FROM DAY TO DAY OR YEAR TO YEAR?

HOW CAN I REINVENT MYSELF FOR VARIOUS PURPOSES OR TIMES IN MY LIFE?

WHAT ARE THE DISTINCTIVE THINGS THAT MAKE ME "ME"?

Think about the characteristics and qualities that make you "you." How can you visually show them?

Decide which ones you will include in a self-portrait.

WHY DO ALL SELF-PORTRAITS LOOK SO DIFFERENT?

…AGAIN WE ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT WHO THE ARTIST IS, AND WHAT THEY ARE TRYING TO SAY ABOUT WHO THEY ARE.

Here are some practical reasons why artists make self-portraits:

THEY GET A MODEL WHO IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE AND WORKS FOR FREE

SELF-PORTRAITS ARE A GOOD WAY FOR ARTISTS TO PRACTICE REPRESENTING DIFFERENT EXPRESSIONS AND MOODS.

SELF-PORTRAITS ADVERTISE AN ARTIST'S SKILL. A POTENTIAL CUSTOMER CAN COMPARE THE IMAGE IN THE SELF-PORTRAIT TO THE ACTUAL PERSON AND DECIDE ON THE SPOT TO HIRE THE ARTIST—OR NOT!

SELF-PORTRAITS LIVE ON. THEY PRESERVE MEMORIES AND LET THE ARTIST LEAVE HIS OR HER IMAGE BEHIND—A WAY

OF FULFILLING THE HUMAN QUEST FOR IMMORTALITY.

FAMOUS PORTRAITS

SELF-PORTRAIT ASSIGNMENT Learning Goal: To create an expressive self-portrait

built from collaged images and textures on top of a class photo of yourself using the lights, darks, and lines from your image.

Expectations: 1.) Your piece will be built on top of a photo of you from our class photo session.2.) You will use magazines to collage atop your photo to demonstrate expression, and indicate light and dark areas of your photo beneath.3.) Your final piece is a self-portrait that was carefully created and materials used were thoughtfully chosen and used.

USING YOUR PHOTO, COLLAGE ON TOP OF YOUR IMAGE BY DOING THE FOLLOWING: Cut out pictures from magazines that

represent or symbolize your essential characteristics and qualities. Look for images that express your personality, talents, tastes, and moods.

Think about some less obvious ways to symbolize some of your traits. For example, if you are wise, find a picture of an owl.

Use the lights and darks of your photo and collage on top of your image to make an interesting self-portrait.

START WITH YOUR PHOTO!

Begin with your photo…

THEN ADD MAGAZINE CUTTINGS TO COLLAGE ON TOP OF YOUR PHOTO

Use the lightand dark areasof your photo to guide you duringthe collage process

The sections ofcollage will be unusual shapes,filled with texture.The idea is to create a new portrait, one that is more expressive!